Liquid crystal module assembly and display device including the same

ABSTRACT

A display device includes a liquid crystal module to display an image at a front surface thereof, a cover to encase at least a portion of the liquid crystal module, and at least one fastening unit to couple the cover to the liquid crystal module, wherein the fastening unit is provided at a rear surface of the liquid crystal module.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser.No. 14/796,549 filed on Jul. 10, 2015, which is a ContinuationApplication of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/337,415 filed on Dec. 27,2011 in the United States Patent and Trademark Office which claims thepriority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0135439 filed onDec. 27, 2010 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, thedisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments of the present inventive concept relate to a display devicewhich has an improved structure of a cover coupled to a liquid crystalmodule and an improved structure of a stand.

2. Description of the Related Art

A display device is necessarily used to implement a compact lightweightsystem, for example, a notebook computer, a portable computer or amobile phone such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) or the like, inaddition to being used as a monitor of a desktop computer.

Examples of such a display device include a Liquid Crystal Display(LCD), Plasma Display Panel (PDP), Field Emission Display (FED), etc.This device has better visibility than a Cathode-Ray Tube (CRT), lessaverage power consumption, and a lower heat value than the CRT of thesame image size. Therefore, such display devices are being used forapplications such as a monitor of a mobile phone, computer, television,or the like.

SUMMARY

An aspect of the exemplary embodiments is to provide a display device inwhich a cover may be easily assembled to a liquid crystal module.

Another aspect of the exemplary embodiments is to provide a displaydevice in which a stand may be easily assembled to a liquid crystalmodule.

Additional aspects of the exemplary embodiments will be set forth inpart in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned by practice of the inventive concept.

In accordance with one aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a displaydevice includes a liquid crystal module to display an image at a frontsurface thereof, a cover to encase at least a portion of the liquidcrystal module, and at least one fastening unit to couple the cover tothe liquid crystal module, wherein the fastening unit is provided at arear surface of the liquid crystal module.

The fastening unit may couple the cover and the rear surface of theliquid crystal module.

The fastening unit may couple the cover and the rear surface of theliquid crystal module with a screw-type fastener.

The fastening unit may include a first fastening portion provided at therear surface of the liquid crystal module, a second fastening portionprovided at the cover, and a fastening screw coupled with the firstfastening portion through the second fastening portion.

The fastening unit may couple the cover and the rear surface of theliquid crystal module with a hook-type fastener.

The fastening unit may include a first fastening portion provided at therear surface of the liquid crystal module having a first hook structure,and a second fastening portion provided at the cover having a secondhook structure corresponding to the first hook structure.

The cover may include a first cover to encase a frame area of the rearsurface of the liquid crystal module, and a second cover to encase acentral area of the rear surface of the liquid crystal module.

The first cover may include a frame portion provided at a positionadjacent to a frame of the rear surface of the liquid crystal module,and a side surface portion provided at a position adjacent to a sidesurface of the liquid crystal module.

The side surface portion may include a front end located adjacent to anedge of the front surface of the liquid crystal module and a rear endlocated adjacent to an edge of the rear surface of the liquid crystalmodule, and the front end may be formed to have a smaller thickness thana thickness of the rear end.

The first cover may be made of a plastic material, whereas the secondcover may be made of a metal material.

The first cover may be formed with a mounting position guide portion toguide a mounting position of the second cover.

The mounting position guide portion may include a first mountingposition guide portion to support a base surface of the second cover,and a second mounting position guide portion to support an upper surfaceof the second cover.

The second cover may be formed with a vent hole to pass air.

The display device may further include a bracket coupled to the rearsurface of the liquid crystal module, and a stand coupled with thebracket to support the liquid crystal module.

The display device may further include a stand guide unit to guide amounting position of the stand.

The stand guide unit may include a first stand guide portion provided atthe bracket, a second stand guide portion provided at the cover, and athird stand guide portion provided at the stand.

The display device may further include a stand fastening unit to couplethe stand to the bracket.

The stand fastening unit may include a first stand fastening portionprovided at the bracket, a second stand fastening portion provided atthe cover, and a third stand fastening portion provided at the stand.

The liquid crystal module may include a liquid crystal panel, abacklight unit to supply the liquid crystal panel with light, and abottom chassis and a top chassis to support the liquid crystal panel andthe backlight unit.

In accordance with another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a displaydevice includes a liquid crystal panel, a backlight unit to supply theliquid crystal panel with light, a chassis having an upper surface, aside wall, and a base surface to support the liquid crystal panel andthe backlight unit, and a cover to encase at least a portion of thechassis, wherein the cover is coupled with the base surface of thechassis.

The display device may further include at least one fastening unit tocouple the cover and the base surface of the chassis.

The cover may include a first cover provided at a frame area of the basesurface of the chassis, and a second cover provided at a central area ofthe chassis.

In accordance with a further aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a liquidcrystal module assembly includes a liquid crystal module having a frontsurface, a side surface, and a rear surface, a cover to encase the sidesurface and the rear surface of the liquid crystal module, and at leastone fastening unit to couple the cover with the rear surface of theliquid crystal module so that the cover is supported at the liquidcrystal module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects of the exemplary embodiments will becomeapparent and more readily appreciated from the following description ofthe embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings ofwhich:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating a display deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view illustrating the display deviceaccording to the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the display deviceaccording to the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a main configuration of thedisplay device according to the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a main configuration of a liquidcrystal module according to the exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an appearance in which a bracket iscoupled with the liquid crystal module according to the exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an appearance in which a first cover iscoupled with the liquid crystal module according to the exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of portion ‘A’ shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an appearance in which a second cover iscoupled with the liquid crystal module according to the exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of portion ‘B’ shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an appearance in which a stand is coupledto a rear surface of the liquid crystal module according to theexemplary embodiment; and

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of portion ‘C’ shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of theinventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elementsthroughout.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view illustrating a display deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a rear perspective viewillustrating the display device according to the exemplary embodiment.FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the display deviceaccording to the exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sectional viewillustrating a main configuration of the display device according to theexemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the display device, which is designated byreference numeral 10, may include a liquid crystal module 20, a cover30, and a stand 40.

The liquid crystal module 20 displays an image through a front surface20 a thereof. The cover 30 is installed to encase at least a portion ofthe liquid crystal module 20 so as to protect electric components withinthe display device 10. Hereinafter, a configuration that the cover 30 ismounted to the liquid crystal module 20 is referred to as a liquidcrystal module assembly 11. The liquid crystal module assembly 11 may befixed to a wall surface through a wire hook (not shown), or may beerected on a floor through the stand 40. Hereinafter, the display device10 supported by the stand 40 will be described with reference to theillustrations.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating a main configuration of theliquid crystal module according to the exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the liquid crystal module 20 may include aliquid crystal panel 21, a backlight unit 22, and a chassis 23.

The liquid crystal panel 21 may correspond to a display portion of thedisplay device 10.

The image may be formed in such a manner as to typically put a liquidcrystal in a narrow gap between two sheets of thin glass substrate andto change a molecular array direction by application of voltage to theliquid crystal through a transparent electrode so as to pass or reflectlight. Here, a front surface 21 a of the liquid crystal panel 21corresponds to the front surface 20 a of the liquid crystal module 20.

The backlight unit 22 may supply light to the liquid crystal panel 21.The backlight unit 22 may include a light source 22 a, a light guideplate 22 b, optical sheets 22 c, and a reflection sheet 22 d. Lightemitted from the light source 22 a enters a side surface of the lightguide plate 22 b. Light directed downwards by total reflection from thelight guide plate 22 b is reflected again by the reflection sheet 22 dand then enters the light guide plate 22 b. Light directed upwards fromthe light guide plate 22 b enters the liquid crystal panel 21 via theoptical sheets 22 c.

The chassis 23 may be a structure to accommodate and support the liquidcrystal panel 21 and the backlight unit 22 therewithin. The chassis 23may include a top chassis 24 and a bottom chassis 25. Side walls 24 aand 25 a of the respective top and bottom chassis 24 and 25 are coupledto each other by a screw 26. The top chassis 24 supports, at an uppersurface 24 b thereof, an upper portion of the liquid crystal panel 21,whereas the bottom chassis 25 supports, at a base surface 25 b thereof,a lower portion of the backlight unit 22. Also, the bottom chassis 25 ismounted, at the base surface 25 b thereof, with the electric components27 such as a circuit board, a speaker, or the like.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an appearance in which a bracket iscoupled with the liquid crystal module according to the exemplaryembodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the bracket 45 may be coupled to a rearsurface 20 b of the liquid crystal module 20 by a plurality of bracketfastening units 50. Here, the rear surface 20 b of the liquid crystalmodule 20 corresponds to the base surface 25 b of the bottom chassis 25.

Each of the bracket fastening units 50 includes a first bracketfastening portion 51 provided at the rear surface 20 b of the liquidcrystal module 20, a second bracket fastening portion 52 provided at thebracket 45, and a bracket fastening screw 53 to couple the first bracketfastening portion 51 and the second bracket fastening portion 52. Thebracket fastening screw 53 is coupled to the first bracket 51 throughthe second bracket fastening portion 52. Consequently, the bracket 45may be coupled to the rear surface 20 b of the liquid crystal module 20.

Furthermore, the bracket 45 may be coupled with the stand 40. Thebracket 45 is formed with first stand guide portions 71 of a stand guideunit 70 and first stand fastening portions 81 of a stand fastening unit80. Coupling of the bracket 45 and the stand 40 will be described below.

Meanwhile, the cover 30 is installed to encase at least a portion of theliquid crystal module 20 so as to protect the electric components 27coupled to the rear surface 20 b of the liquid crystal module 20. Thecover 30 may include a first cover 31 and a second cover 32. The cover30 may be coupled to the liquid crystal module 20 by at least onefastening unit 60.

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an appearance in which the first cover iscoupled with the liquid crystal module according to the exemplaryembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view ofportion ‘A’ shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the first cover 31 is mounted at a frame areain the rear surface 20 b of the liquid crystal module 20. In detail, thefirst cover 31 is mounted, at a frame portion 33 thereof, along a frameof the rear surface 20 b of the liquid crystal module 20 while beingmounted, at a side surface portion 34 thereof, along a side surface 20 cof the liquid crystal module 20. Here, the rear surface 20 b of theliquid crystal module 20 may correspond to the base surface 25 b of thebottom chassis 25, whereas the side surface 20 c of the liquid crystalmodule 20 may correspond to the side wall 25 a of the bottom chassis 25(or the side wall 24 a of the top chassis 24). Meanwhile, the frameportion 33 and the side surface portion 34 of the first cover 31 may beformed by double injection molding. In particular, the first cover 31 ismade of a plastic material. The frame portion 33 is made of atransparent material, whereas the side surface portion 34 is made of anopaque material.

The first cover 31 may be coupled with the rear surface 20 b of theliquid crystal module 20 by at least one first fastening unit 61. Thefirst fastening unit 61 may be comprised of a plurality of firstfastening units. The at least one first fastening unit 61 may include afirst fastening portion 61 a provided at the rear surface 20 b of theliquid crystal module 20, a second fastening portion 61 b provided atthe frame portion 33 of the first cover 31, and a first fastening screw61 c to couple the first fastening portion 61 a and the second fasteningportion 61 b. The first fastening screw 61 c is coupled to the firstfastening portion 61 a through the second fastening portion 61 b.Consequently, the first cover 31 may be coupled to the rear surface 20 bof the liquid crystal module 20. Therefore, the frame portion 33 of thefirst cover 31 encases the frame of the rear surface 20 b of the liquidcrystal module 20, whereas the side surface portion 34 of the firstcover 31 encases the side surface 20 c of the liquid crystal module 20.

In particular, the side surface portion 34 of the first cover 31 mayinclude a front end 34 a adjacent to an edge of the front surface 20 aof the liquid crystal module 20 and a rear end 34 b adjacent to an edgeof the rear surface 20 b of the liquid crystal module 20. In this case,the front end 34 a is formed to have a smaller thickness t than thethickness T of the rear end 34 b. That is, the front end 34 a is formedto have a lower height t than the height T of the rear end 34 b, asviewed from the side surface 20 c of the liquid crystal module 20.Consequently, when the display device 10 is viewed from the front byequal to or less than a predetermined angle α which is an acute anglewith respect to the liquid crystal module 20, the side surface portion34 of the first cover 31 located at the side surface 20 c of the liquidcrystal module 20 may not be seen or be seen to a very slight extent.This has an effect of actual reduction in bezel size.

In addition, the first cover 31 is overlapped on the bracket 45. Thefirst cover 31 is provided with second stand guide portions 72 atrespective positions corresponding to the first stand guide portions 71formed at the bracket 45. Also, the first cover 31 is provided withsecond stand fastening portions 82 at respective positions correspondingto the first stand fastening portions 81 formed at the bracket 45. Thecoupling of the bracket 45 and the stand 40 will be described below.

Meanwhile, in an alternative example of the present embodiment, thefirst fastening unit 61 may have a hook coupling structure. That is, theliquid crystal module 20 may be formed, at the rear surface 20 bthereof, with a first hook structure, and the first cover 31 may beformed with a second hook structure corresponding to the first hookstructure.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating an appearance in which the second cover iscoupled with the liquid crystal module according to the exemplaryembodiment. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of portion ‘B’ shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 11, the second cover 32 is mounted at a centralarea in the rear surface 20 b of the liquid crystal module 20. Thesecond cover 32 is individually separated from the first cover 31 so asto enable access to the rear surface 20 b of the liquid crystal module20. That is, a user may separate the second cover 32 and then haveaccess to the electric components 27 mounted at the rear surface 20 b ofthe liquid crystal module 20 to repair or replace the electriccomponents 27.

The first cover 31 allows a mounting position of the second cover 32 tobe determined. The second cover 32 is seated, at an outer frame thereof,to a mounting position guide portion 35 of the first cover 31. Themounting position guide portion 35 includes a first mounting positionguide portion 35 a to support a base surface of the second cover 32, anda second mounting position guide portion 35 b to support an uppersurface of the second cover 32. Consequently, the second cover 32 isprimarily fixed to the first cover 31.

Furthermore, the second cover 32 may be coupled with the rear surface 20b of the liquid crystal module 20 by at least one second fastening unit62. The second fastening unit 62 may be comprised of a plurality ofsecond fastening units. The at least one second fastening unit 62 mayinclude a first fastening portion 62 a provided at the rear surface 20 bof the liquid crystal module 20, a second fastening portion 62 bprovided at the second cover 32, and a second fastening screw 62 c tocouple the first fastening portion 62 a and the second fastening portion62 b. The second fastening screw 62 c is coupled to the first fasteningportion 62 a through the second fastening portion 62 b. Consequently,the second cover 32 may be coupled to the rear surface 20 b of theliquid crystal module 20 at the central area in the rear surface 20 b ofthe liquid crystal module 20.

Meanwhile, the second cover 32 is formed with VESA (Video ElectronicsStandards Association) holes 32 a so as to meet a VESA wall mountstandard. The VESA holes 32 a may be used to fix the liquid crystalmodule assembly 11 to the wall surface.

Also, the second cover 32 may be formed with a plurality of vent holes32 b. Heat generated from the electric components 27 may be emittedthrough the vent holes 32 b. Furthermore, cold air is introduced throughthe vent holes 32 b, thereby being capable of cooling the electriccomponents 27. In particular, the second cover 32 may be made of a metalmaterial or other material which improves cooling performance.

Meanwhile, in an alternative example of the present embodiment, thesecond fastening unit 62 may have a hook coupling structure. That is,the liquid crystal module 20 may be formed, at the rear surface 20 bthereof, with a first hook structure, and the second cover 32 may beformed with a second hook structure corresponding to the first hookstructure.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an appearance in which the stand iscoupled to the rear surface of the liquid crystal module according tothe exemplary embodiment. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of portion ‘C’shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 12, the stand 40 may include a lower pedestal 41,an upper pedestal 42, and a connection member 43 to connect the lowerpedestal 41 and the upper pedestal 42. The lower pedestal 41 is laid onthe floor, whereas the upper pedestal 42 is coupled with the liquidcrystal module assembly 11. Here, the connection member 43 may be madeof a transparent material.

The stand guide unit 70 allows a mounting position of the upper pedestal42 to be guided at the rear surface 20 b of the liquid crystal module20. The stand guide unit 70 may include a plurality of first stand guideportions 71 provided at the bracket 45, a plurality of second standguide portions 72 provided at the first cover 31, and a plurality ofthird stand guide portions 73 provided at the upper pedestal 42. Each ofthe third stand guide portions 73 is formed of a protrusion shape at theupper pedestal 42, whereas each of the first and second stand guideportions 71 and 72 is formed of a groove shape. Thus, the third standguide portions 73 are inserted into the first stand guide portions 71through the corresponding second stand guide portions 72, respectively.Consequently, the upper pedestal 42 may be primarily coupled with thebracket 45.

Subsequently, the upper pedestal 42 may be coupled to the rear surface20 b of the liquid crystal module 20 by the stand fastening unit 80. Thestand fastening unit 80 may include a plurality of first stand fasteningportions 81 provided at the bracket 45, a plurality of second standfastening portions 82 provided at the first cover 31, a plurality ofthird stand fastening portions 83 provided at the upper pedestal 42, anda plurality of stand fastening screws 84 to couple the first standfastening portions 81, the second stand fastening portions 82, and thethird stand fastening portions 83. The stand fastening screws 84 arecoupled with the first stand fastening portions 81 through thecorresponding third and second stand fastening portions 83 and 82,respectively. Consequently, the upper pedestal 42 may be secondarilycoupled with the bracket 45.

Thus, the stand 40 is firmly fixed to the liquid crystal module assembly11 to support the liquid crystal module assembly 11. As a result, thedisplay device 10 may be erected on the floor.

As is apparent from the above description, the liquid crystal moduleassembly and the display device may achieve reduction in the bezel sizeand simplification of an assembly process.

Although a few exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, itwould be appreciated by those of skill in the art that changes may bemade to these embodiments without departing from the principles andspirit of the inventive concept, the scope of which is defined in theclaims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device comprising: a liquid crystalmodule configured to display an image at a front side thereof; anon-metallic cover which forms a first portion of a rear exterior of thedisplay device; and a metallic cover coupled to the liquid crystalmodule, the metallic cover forming a second portion of the rear exteriorof the display device; and a bracket arranged between the liquid crystalmodule and the non-metallic cover and configured to be coupled to astand, wherein the non-metallic cover and the metallic cover are coupledto each other.
 2. The display device of claim 1, wherein thenon-metallic cover at least partially overlaps the metallic cover. 3.The display device of claim 1, wherein the non-metallic cover covers thebracket.
 4. The display device of claim 1, wherein the liquid crystalmodule comprises: a liquid crystal display panel; and a backlight unitconfigured to supply light to the liquid crystal display panel.
 5. Thedisplay device of claim 4, further comprising: a chassis configured tosupport the liquid crystal display panel and the backlight unit.
 6. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein the bracket is provided at a lowerportion of the display device.
 7. The display device of claim 1, whereinthe non-metallic cover is provided at a lower region of the rearexterior of the display device.
 8. The display device of claim 1,wherein the metallic cover is provided at an upper region of the rearexterior of the display device.
 9. The display device of claim 1,wherein the metallic cover forms a part of the rear exterior of thedisplay device and the non-metallic cover forms a remaining part of therear exterior of the display device.
 10. The display device of claim 1,wherein the stand is configured to support the display device.
 11. Thedisplay device of claim 1, wherein the bracket is provided with a firststand fastening portion, the non-metallic cover is provided with asecond stand fastening portion, and a stand fastening screw is coupledwith the first stand fastening portion through the second standfastening portion.
 12. The display device of claim 1, wherein themetallic cover is coupled to the liquid crystal module via at least onefastening unit.
 13. The display device of claim 1, wherein thenon-metallic cover and the metallic cover are coupled to each other atleast in a portion of the rear exterior in which the non-metallic coverand the metallic cover overlap.
 14. A display device comprising: adisplay panel module configured to display an image at a front sidethereof; and a rear exterior provided at a rear side of the displaydevice that is opposite to the front side in a depth direction of thedisplay device, the rear exterior comprising: a non-metallic cover whichforms at least a lower portion of the rear exterior, a surface of thelower portion extending to correspond to a dimension of the displaypanel module along a first direction of the display panel module, and ametallic cover which forms an upper portion of the rear exterior, asurface of the upper portion extending to correspond to the dimension ofthe display panel module along the first direction, wherein the firstdirection is orthogonal to the depth direction.
 15. The display deviceof claim 14, wherein the surface of the non-metallic cover and thesurface of the metallic cover adjacently extend in the first directionand are aligned in a second direction perpendicular to the firstdirection, to form the rear exterior.
 16. The display device of claim14, wherein the surface of the non-metallic cover adjacently extends inparallel to the surface of the metallic cover underneath the displaypanel module in the first direction, to form the rear exterior.
 17. Thedisplay device of claim 14, further comprising: a bracket disposedbetween the non-metallic cover and the display panel module andconfigured to be coupled to a stand.
 18. The display device of claim 14,wherein the non-metallic cover at least partially overlaps the metalliccover.
 19. The display device of claim 18, wherein at least one fasteneris used to couple an overlapped portion of the non-metallic cover and anoverlapped portion of the metallic cover.
 20. The display device ofclaim 14, wherein the non-metallic cover comprises an inclined portioninclined from an edge portion of the non-metallic cover toward themetallic cover.
 21. The display device of claim 14, wherein thenon-metallic cover is provided at an outer region of the metallic cover,and the metallic cover is coupled to the display panel module.